Johnston: The future is now for Stafford

Mark Richt did the right thing. He took Matthew Stafford off the bench and put him in the game.

Forget about the circumstances. Forget about the redshirt. Forget about hurt feelings. Forget about seniority.

One of the things we learned in Georgia's opening win over Western Kentucky is that one day, perhaps even as early as next Saturday night at South Carolina, Richt is going to need Stafford to win a game.

He has the arm, the size, the ability, the confidence and the presence to become Georgia's quarterback - perhaps even a good one - for at least three years.

All he needs is experience.

And Richt helped begin his learning process by allowing Stafford to play the final quarter of a game long stashed away in the win column.

Stafford said his 15 minutes of action were worth it even if he doesn't see another second of action this fall, but it's tough to believe that he's played the final snap of his freshman year.

Richt and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo talked about how far he's progressed since they released their QB depth chart two weeks ago. At that time, Stafford was tied with Blake Barnes as co-No. 3s, behind Joe Tereshinski and Joe Cox.

Something obviously has happened in the past 13 days. Perhaps a light bulb flickered on in Stafford's mind or perhaps Stafford is just now beginning to feel comfortable in the offense he's been digesting since first stepping onto campus in January. His recent play and comprehension of the system led Richt to throw the redshirt in the laundry basket.

Bobo told Stafford on Saturday morning that if the game was in hand, he would play.

The few fans hanging around were rewarded when Stafford jogged onto the field for the first play of the fourth quarter. His first two throws fell incomplete, but his first drive resulted in a touchdown. The second became a safety for Western Kentucky when Seth Watts was called for holding in the end zone.

Stafford finished with three consecutive completions, with a growing confidence and with the knowledge that he'll contribute this season.

Stafford's stats weren't spectacular. He's not going to win the Heisman Trophy by completing three passes for 40 yards in mop-up duty against lower-tier, pre-SEC fodder. His touchdown toss might have been the most wobbly pass he threw.

But he's obviously making an impact in practice and with the coaches. He's making enough of an impact for them to play him as a freshman. He's making enough of an impact for them to include him in the rotation.

Before you buy into too much of the Stafford hype, remember that Tereshinski is still the No. 1 guy. He'll start against South Carolina, something that Richt declared Saturday afternoon. And Richt is loyal to his seniors.

The rest of the depth chart might be in for a makeover. Stafford, not Cox, might be the first guy off the bench, if the situation calls for a change.

"We're not going to sit here and announce who the guy is going to be every week, who's No. 2 and who's No. 3," Bobo said. "They're going to play. We could have co-twos, who knows."

Despite struggling with his accuracy, Tereshinski helped Georgia build the lead that allowed Stafford to take his snaps. Tereshinski was sabotaged by receivers who played like they had oven mitts on their hands, but his throws sailed at times, dived at other times and seemed to take their time in reaching receivers.

Tereshinki also was the first guy on the field when Cox led Georgia to a touchdown and then hustled to greet Stafford after his fourth-quarter scoring pass.

Yes, Joe T. remains the guy in this friendly quarterback competition. Stafford, however, has narrowed the gap.